Means for excluding abrasive carrying liquid from bearings and joints



Jan. 5, 1937.

J. A. WOLFE MEANS FOR EXCLUDING ABRASIVE CARRYING LIQUID FROM BEARINGS AND JOINTS Filed Aug. 31, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEY.

Jan. 5, 1937. J. A. WOLFE 2,056,505

MEANS FOR EXCLUDING ABRASIVE CARRYING LIQUID FROM BEARINGS AND JOINTS Filed Aug. 51. 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR A TTORNEY Patented Jan. 5, 1937 PATENT OFFICE MEANS FOR EXCLUDING ABRASIVE CAB- RYING LIQUID FROM BEARINGS AND JOINTS John Arthur Wolfe, Huntington Park, CallL, as-

signor to Michael Edward Walters, Huntington Park, Calif.

Application August 31, 1935, Serial No. 38,768

13 Claims.

This invention relates to vertical turbine pumps and particularly to a turbine pump, in which means are provided for preventing the entrance of abrasive material into the running joints formed between the pump impellers and the pump bowls, and to the running joints formed between the drive shaft and the stationary parts within which it rotates.

The common form of vertical turbine pump comprises a pump section, which is secured to the lower end of a column pipe, near the bottom of a well. The column pipe extends to the top of the well where it is secured to a discharge head. The pump section generally includes a plurality of impellers, each of which is rotated within a pump bowl, the discharge from one impeller being conducted by the pump bowl, to the intake of the next impeller, thereby building up the discharge pressure of the pump to the required value. The pump impellers are rotated by means of a pump shaft which extends from the pump section through the column pipe to the discharge head.

It is necessary to bring the pump shaft out of the discharge head through a running joint, formed between the rotating pump shaft and the stationary discharge head. It is also necessary to provide a running fit between the pump impellers and the pump bowls, within which they are rotated. As the pressure is built up by each of the pump impellers between the intake side and the discharge side, there is thus a tendency for the liquid discharge by each pump impeller to leak back through the running joint, formed between the impeller and the pump bowl, to the intake side of the impeller. Generally, the liquid pumped carries in suspension materials, such as sand, which are very effective abrasives. This abrasive material is carried by the liquid, escaping from the high pressure side of the impeller to the lower pressure side, into the running joint. The abrasive material, thus carried into the running joint, quickly wears away the contacting sealing surfaces, thereby permitting a large amount of leakage and thus reducing the discharge pressure and efliciency of the entire pump unit.

It is an object of this invention, to exclude abrasives in abrasive carrying liquid, from entering a joint formed between relatively movable members. Another object of the invention is to exclude abrasive carrying liquid from entering one end of a joint formed between relatively rotatable members, by forcing clean liquid through said joint from the opposite end thereof.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means for receiving abrasive laden liquid and separating the abrasive material therefrom, together with means for forcing clean liquid from said separating means, into a running joint, for excluding the entrance of abrasive carrying liquid thereinto.

It is still another object of this invention to prevent the entrance of abrasive material into the running joint between the pump and impeller and the pump bowl, by discharging into this joint a flow of liquid, from which the abrasive material has been removed.

In pumping apparatus of the nature heretofore referred to, bearings may be provided at intervals throughout the length of the column pipe, for rotatably supporting the pump shaft. It is still another object of this invention to provide means for separating from the liquid being pumped, the abrasive material carried thereby, so that this liquid may be employed as a lubricant for the bearings of the pump shaft.

This invention possesses many other advantages and has other objects which will be made more easily apparent from a consideration of the embodiments thereof shown in the accompanying drawings and forming part of the present specification. I shall now proceed to describe these forms in detail, which illustrate the general principles of my invention; but it is to be 1 understood that this description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope hi the invention is best defined in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 illustrates one form of pump structure, embodying the invention. This view is partly in section, taken in a vertical plane along the axis of the pump shaft.

Figure 2 is a horizontal section view taken as indicated by line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 illustrates another form of pump structure, embodying the invention. This view is partly in section, taken in a vertical plane along the axis of the pump shaft.

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view, taken as indicated by line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view, taken through the discharge head, illustrating the manner in which my invention may be employed to protect the seal between the pump shaft and the discharge head.

Figure 6 is a horizontal sectional view, taken as indicated by line 6-6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a horizontal sectional view, taken as indicated by line 1-1 of Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view, in the plane of the axis of the pump shaft, illustrating the manner in which this invention may be employed to protect the bearings of the pump shaft within the column pipe.

Referring more particularly to the form of the invention disclosed by Figures 1 and 2, the

pump structure may include a plurality of impellers, such as the impeller I, each of which is secured to the pump shaft 2 and rotated within a pump bowl, such as the bowl 3. Each impeller comprises an upper shroud 6 and a lower shroud 7, which define therebetween a passage having an inlet 4 and an outlet 5. The upper and lower shrouds are connected by a plurality of vanes 8, which provide means for rotating the liquid between the shrouds, to build up the discharge pressure of the pump.

The liquid pumped is carried by the pump passages 9, formed within the bowl 3, from the outlet 5 of the impeller to the inlet of the next succeeding impeller, and from the last impeller of the pump into the discharge column. It is ob ious' that the pressure of the liquid at the outlet 5 is greater than that of the liquid at the intake 4, by the head built up by the pump impeller. It is also obvious that, the liquid discharged from the outlet 5 will flow back to the inlet 4 through such leakage passages as may exist between the pump impeller and the stationary structure formed by the pump bowls. If this leakage is excessive, the pressure produced by the pump and the resultant efficiency of the pump will be greatly reduced. It is accordingly necessary to provide a close running fit between the pump impellers and the pump bowls. However, the liquid being pumped generally carries a considerable quantity of abrasive material suspended therein. This liquid, having the abrasive material suspended therein, is carried through the leakage paths between the outlet and the inlet of the pump impeller into the running fit, formed between the pump impeller and the stationary structure of the pump. The abrasive material, thus carried into the running fit, quickly wears away the contacting surfaces, thereby producing a. rapid failure of the joint.

In the present construction this difficulty is obviated by conducting a portion of the liquid being pumped, into the chamber III, from which it is conducted through the centrifugal separating chamber I I to the radially diverging pump passages I2 formed'in the vanes 8 of the impeller. The radially diverging pump passages I2 discharge the liquid into the annular chamber I3, whichcommunicates with the running joints formed between the annular depending skirts I4 and I5, of the impeller, and the upwardly extending sleeve formed on the pump bowl.

The separating chamber II is formed by the annular depending skirt I8 and the upwardly extending sleeve I'I, both of which are rotated with the pump impeller. It is obvious from the construction that, the liquid entering the space between the skirt I8 and the sleeve U will be rotated with the impeller, thereby building up a centrifugal force, which causes the heavier abrasive matter carried in suspension, to be thrown against the depending skirt I8. Thus the liquid passing through the centrifugal separating chamber I I has the abrasive material separated therefrom, so that the liquid entering the radially diverging pump passages I2 is substantially freed of this deleterious abrasive material. The liquid discharged from the pump passages I2 into the annular chamber I3, may accordingly be employed to lubricate the running fit between the depending skirts I4 and I5 and the annular sleeve I6, without producing any abrasion of these members.

It is obvious from the construction that a substantial pressure is built up within the annular chamber I3 by the liquid entering through the radially diverging pump passages I 2. There is thus some discharge of liquid from the annular chamber I3 through the running joints formed between the depending skirts I4 and I5 and the upwardly extending sleeve I6, thereby effectively preventing any entrance of abrasive laden liquid into these joints.

- It is also to be observed that both the centrifugal separating chamber II and the radially diverging pump passages I2 effectively perform their respective functions irrespective of the direction of rotation of the pump impeller. Thus when the pump is stopped and the liquid contained in the discharge column causes the pump impellers to be rotated in a reverse direction, the separating chamber I I and the radially diverging pump passages I2 will be effective to prevent the entrance of abrasive material into the running joints. It is further to be observed that the abrasive material which may remain within the pump structure when the pump is stopped is prevented from entering the running joints, because the depending skirt I8 extends below the top of the sleeve I1, thus preventing any sediment from settling within the separating chamber, and the depending skirt I5 extends below the top of the projecting sleeve I6, thus preventing any sediment from settling into the running joints.

The form of the invention illustrated by Figures 1 and 2 may be readily adapted to existing pump structures, as the radially diverging passages I2 may be formed by drilling holes through the existing pump vanes, and the depending skirt l8 together with the upwardly extending sleeve I! may be readily secured to the pump impeller.

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate another form of the invention. In this form the pump shaft I9 may have one or more impellers secured thereto. Each of the impellers 20 maybe of the same general form as the impeller I of Figure I and comprising upper and lower shrouds 2I and 22 respectively which define therebetween a passage having intake 23 and outlet 24. As in the form of Figure 1, the liquid pumped is carried by the pump passages 25 formed within the bowl 26, from the outlet 24 of the impeller to the inlet of the next succeeding impeller, and from the last impeller of the pump into the discharge column.

In this form of the invention a part of the liquid discharged from the impeller outlet 24 is conducted into the annular chamber 21, formed between the pump impeller and the pump bowl. The liquid is conducted from the annular chamber 21, through the centrifugal separating chamber 28, to the radially diverging pump passages 29, formed within the radially extending flange 30, formed integrally with the pump impeller. The liquid is discharge from the pump passages 29 into the annular chamber 3I which communicates with the running joints, formed between the annular depending skirts 32 and 33 of the pump impeller and the upwardly extending sleeve 34 formed on the pump bowl.

The separating chamber 28 is formed by the skirt 35, which depends from the lower shroud 22, and the sleeve 36, which projects upwardly from 2,006,505 the flange 30. It is obvious from the construction that the liquid entering the space between the skirt and the sleeve 36 will be rotated with the impeller, thereby separating from this liquid the abrasive material suspended therein, as described in connection with Figure l.

The body of liquid, having theabrasive material removed therefrom is thus discharged by the radially diverging pump passages 29 into the annular chamber 3|. The liquid within the chamber 3| will be maintained at a substantial pressure thereby producing some discharge of this liquid through the running joints formed between the depending skirts 32 and 33 and the upwardly extending sleeve 34. It is obvious that this liquid discharged through the running joints will act to effectively scavenge the same and prevent the entrance of any abrasive laden liquid into these joints.

As in the construction of Figure 1, both the centrifugal separating chamber 28 and the radially diverging pump passages 29 effectively perform their respective functions, irrespective of the direction of rotation of the pump impeller.

. Thus when the pump is stopped and the liquid contained in the discharge column causes the pump impellers to rotate in a reverse direction, the separating chamber 28 and the radially diverging pump passages 29 will be effective to prevent the entrance of abrasive material into the running joints. It is further to be observed that the abrasive material carried by the liquid, which may remain within the pump structure when the pump is stopped, is prevented from entering the running joints, because the depending skirt 35 extends below the top of the sleeve 36, thus preventing any sediment from settling within the separating chamber, and the depending skirt 33 extends below the top of the projecting sleeve 34, thus preventing any sediment from settling into the running joints.

In the form of the invention, illustrated by Figures 5 to 'I inclusive, means are provided for preventing the entrance of abrasive material into the joint, formed between the pump shaft 31 and the discharge head 38. The pump shaft extends through the opening 39, formedin the discharge head, to the exterior thereof, where it may be connected to a driving motor. The packing 40 is provided for sealing against the pump shaft, and suitable means, such as the packing gland 4| may be provided for compressing the packing. As there is some discharge of liquid along the pump shaft past the packing 40, any abrasive material suspended in this liquid will be carried into the joint formed by the pump shaft and the packing, thus resulting in an abrasion of both the shaft and the packing, and in a rapid failure of this joint.

By means of the construction illustrated, abrasive material is separated from the liquid, which may enter the joint between the pump shaft and the packing 49 This separation is effected by the member 42, which is secured to the pump shaft and which projects into the cup 43, formed in the discharge head. The member 42 has a depending skirt formed thereon, which telescopes into the upwardly extending sleeve 44. The sleeve 44 and the skirt 45 define a centrifugal separating chamber 46, which "acts to throw the suspended abrasive material against the internal periphery of the sleeve 44. As there is some circulation of liquid within the separating chamber, the abrasive material is carried along the surface of the sleeve 44 and discharged back into the discharge flow of the pump.

The liquid is conducted from the separating chamber 46 to the radially diverging pump passages from which it is discharged into the cup 43. The cup 43 has an internal cylindrical surface 48 formed thereon, which forms a running joint with the external cylindricalsurface 49, formed on the member 42. Thus a pressure is built up within the cup 43 by the liquid entering through the radially diverging passages 41. In response to this pressure there is some discharge of liquid from the cup 43 through the running joint formed by the surfaces 48 and 49. As the abrasive material has been removed from the liquid entering the cup 43, there is no possibility for abrasive material to be carried into the joint between the pump shaft and the packing 40, or into the running fit formed by the surfaces 49 and 49.

Figure 8 illustrates an application of this invention to the pump bearings contained within the discharge column. In this form the pump shaft 50 is rotatably supported by the bearing 5|. which may be held by the member 52, suitably supported within the discharge column. The pump shaft 50 has the members 53 and 54 secured thereto adjacent to the opposite ends of the bearing 5|. As the members 53 and 54 are similar of construction, only one of these members will be described in detail. The member 53 projects into the cup 55 formed in the member 52. The members 52 and 53 have the cylindrical surfaces 56 and 51 respectively formed thereon which form a close running fit between these members. The member 53 is provided with an upwardly extending sleeve 58, which project into the downwardly extending skirt 59. The sleeve 58 and the skirt 59 define the centrifugal separating chamber 60, which acts in the manner previously described to remove the abrasive material from the liquid passing through the separating chamber. The liquid is conducted from the separating chamber 60 to the radially diverging pump passages 6|, by which it is discharged into the cup 55. In response to the pressure produced by the liquid within the radially diverging pump passages 6 I, some discharge of liquid takes place from the cup 55 through the running joint formed by the surfaces 56 and 51. As both ends of the bearing 5| are thus protected by a body of liquid, having the abrasive material removed therefrom, the abrasive laden liquid is excluded from the bearing.

I claim:

1. In a device for excluding abrasive carrying liquid from entering a joint formed between relatively rotatable members, means rotatable with one of said members and forming a second joint with the other of said members which is communicative with said first joint, said means having a chamber formed therein for centrifugally separating the abrasives from the liquid entering.

means forming a centrifugal separating chamber on said impeller for receiving abrasive carrying liquid and separating the abrasive material therefrom, and means forming communication between said centrifugal separating chamber and said joint, within which clean liquid from said separating chamber is acted upon and forced into said joint for excluding the entrance of abrasive carrying liquid into said joint.

3. In a centrifugal pump, the combination of a casing, a shaft rotatable therein, an impeller mounted on said shaft and rotatable therewith within said pump casing, means forming a running joint between said impeller and said casing, means forming a centrifugal separating chamber on said impeller for receiving abrasive carrying I liquid and separating the abrasive material therefrom, and means forming communication between said centrifugal separating chamber and said joint through said impeller, whereby clean liquid from said centrifugal separating chamber is centrifugally forced into said joint during the rotation of the impeller for excluding the entrance of abrasive laden liquid into said joint.

4. In a pump for acting on abrasive carrying liquid, the combination of a casing, a shaft rotatable therein, an impeller mounted within said casing for rotative movement with said shaft, means forming a running joint between said impeller and said casing, means on said impeller for receiving abrasive carrying liquid and separating the abrasive material therefrom, means forming a chamber on the upper portion of said impeller for receiving the clean liquid from said separating means, and means forming a passage between said chamber and said joint through said impeller, and through which liquid is forced into said joint during the rotation of said impeller.

5. In an apparatus for excluding abrasives suspended in a liquid from entering a joint formed by relatively movable members, a device supported for rotation on one of said members for receiving abrasive carrying liquid and separating the abrasives therefrom, said device being cooperative with the other of said relatively movable members for forming a second joint which is communicative with said first joint; and rotary means embodied in said device for forcing the clean liquid into said second joint.

6. An apparatus for excluding abrasives suspended in a liquid from entering a joint formed by relatively rotatable members, comprising a device supported for rotative movement on one of said members and forming a second joint with the other of said members which is communicative with said first joint, said device having a chamber associated therewith for receiving abrasive laden liquid and separating the abrasives therefrom, and means embodied in said device for centrifugally forcing the clean liquid into said second joint for excluding the entrance of abrasive laden liquid therethrough into said acting to force clean liquid from said separating chamber to said intermediate chamber and into said joints.

8. In a pump for acting on abrasive carrying liquid, the combination of a casing, a shaft rotatable therein, said casing providing an impeller chamber, an impeller mounted within said chamber for rotative movement with said shaft, means forming a running joint between said impeller and said casing, a chamber supported for bodily rotative movement within the impeller chamber and in proximity to the impeller, said chamber being adapted to receive abrasive carrying liquid and centrifugally separate the abrasive material therefrom, means forming a second chamber on said impeller into which the clean liquid is discharged from said separating chamber, and rotary means embodied in said impeller for forcing the clean liquid from said second chamber into said joint during the rotation of said impeller.

9. In a conduit for conducting abrasive carrying fluid, a revoluble member within said conduit, a supporting structure for said revoluble member, means forming a bearing joint between said supporting structure and said revoluble member, a device supported for rotation with said revoluble member and forming a second joint with a portion of said supporting struc ture which is communicative with the bearing joint, said device having a separating chamber associated therewith for receiving abrasive carrying fluid and separating the abrasives therefrom, and means forming communication between said separating chamber and said second joint, in which a force is built up for forcing clean fluid from said separating chamber into said second joint for excluding the passage of abrasive lad-en fluid therethrough and into said first joint.

10. A pump impeller structure having a chamber for receiving abrasive laden liquid and centrifugally separating the abrasive material therefrom, said abrasive material assuming a position near the outside of said chamber and the clean liquid assuming a position nearest the center of said chamber upon rotation thereof, means forming an annular surface on said impeller for engagement with a member within a pump for forming a joint therewith, and means forming a duct in the impeller structure mtween the clean liquid section of the centrifugal separating chamber and said annular surface, through which the clean liquid is adapted to be forced during the rotation of said impeller structure.

11. A pump impeller structure embodying a pair of opposed annular surfaces which are adapted to form a pair of joints with a pump casing, means forming a chamber on said impeller structure which is adapted to receive abrasive laden fluid and throw the abrasives to its outer periphery leaving the clean fluid nearest the center, and means forming a fluid passage between the clean fluid section of the separating chamber and said surfaces, through which the clean liquid is conveyed into the joints formed by said surfaces.

12. In a rotary pump, the combination of a pump bowl structure having an impeller chamber therein, an impeller adapted to rotate in said impeller chamber, said impeller being provided with upper and lower shrouds and blades disposed therebetween, means forming a running joint between the impeller and the pump bowl, a centrifugal separating device located in the of said main joint are rendered communicative with a. body of abrasive carrying liquid, a pair of centrifugal separating devices located on said rotatable member at opposite ends of the supporting structure and adapted to receive abrasive carrying liquid and separate the abrasives therefrom, and rotary means associated with each of said separating devices for receiving clean liquid therefrom and forcing the same through said secondary joints into the body of 10 abrasive carrying liquid.

JO HN ARTHUR WOLFE. 

